"Freelancing in Somalia during their civil war and in Kuwait right after the first Bush War, I had some rather intense experiences that made life in the U.S. seem rather shallow and superfluous."

“I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm going to be who I really am. I'm going to figure out what that is.”

“All instruments sound fantastic in a church.”

Source : "Colin Meloy Interview Transcript". Interview with Luke Baumgarten, www.inlander.com. October 20, 2005.

“In addition, to punishing sexual offenders and protecting our children, we must also provide services, resources and counseling to the people who are victims of these horrible crimes.”

“I actually built a tiny computer as a junior high school project.”

“There was an era when people would turn on their radio and hear a radio drama. Now, you could be as scared by that as seeing it filmed. In those days, people used to sit by the fire and imagine what they were hearing. Everything is its own art form.”

“Down in their hearts, wise men know this truth: the only way to help yourself is to help others.”

“I have simplified my politics into an utter detestation of all existing governments; and, as it is the shortest and most agreeable and summary feeling imaginable, the first moment of an universal republic would convert me into an advocate for single and uncontradicted despotism. The fact is, riches are power, and poverty is slavery all over the earth, and one sort of establishment is no better, nor worse, for a people than another.”

“I try to get my subconscious to puke out as much stuff as I can because I'm really not judging myself while making music.”